Bib to assist in hair styling

ABSTRACT

A bib for use in hair styling includes a front piece and a back piece. The front piece can be detachably attached to the back piece. Multiple guide lines can be included on the front piece or on the back piece of the bib. A positional element can be attached to the front piece or to the back piece of the bib. A movable adjustment guide can be attached to the front piece or to the back piece of the bib. The movable adjustable guide can include a movable first end piece, a movable second end piece, and a guide wire disposed between the movable first end piece and the movable second end piece. The movable first end piece, the movable second end piece, or both the movable first and second end pieces can be detachably attached to the front piece or the back piece of the bib.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to hair cutting and styling, and more particularly to a bib. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to a bib to assist a hairstylist to style hair to a desired length.

BACKGROUND

Hair styling, which includes haircuts, often requires a hair stylist to visually inspect the hair, or a section or sections of hair, to ensure the hair is styled to the same length. Depending on the contours or anatomy of the body, the clothes or items worn on the body, or the individual hair stylist, the visual inspection may not be accurate. For example, an injury, a disability, a person's posture, and a person's individual body contours can affect the visual inspection and make it more difficult to style hair to an even or particular length. A person may have uneven shoulders, may be wearing an item of clothing, or be wearing a medical device (e.g., an arm sling) that affects the visual inspection. Additionally, the experience level of the hair stylist and his or her visual acuity can affect the accuracy of the visual inspection and make it more challenging to style hair to an even or particular length. Inaccurate hair styling can be more of an issue when a hair stylist is styling the hair on the front of the head or the hair that falls toward or on the front of the body.

SUMMARY

A bib for use in hair styling includes a front piece and a back piece. The front piece can be detachably attached to the back piece. Multiple guide lines can be included on the front piece of the bib, the back piece of the bib, or both the front and back pieces of the bib. A positional element can be attached to the front piece of the bib, the back piece of the bib, or both the front and back pieces of the bib. A movable adjustment guide can be attached to the front piece of the bib, the back piece of the bib, or both the front and back pieces of the bib. Bibs in various embodiments of the invention can include a combination of the multiple guide lines and the positional element, a combination of the multiple guide lines and the movable adjustment guide, a combination of the positional element and the movable adjustment guide, and a combination of the multiple guide lines, the positional element, and the movable adjustment guide.

The movable adjustable guide can include a movable first end piece, a movable second end piece, and a guide wire disposed between the movable first end piece and the movable second end piece. The movable first end piece, the movable second end piece, or both the movable first and second end pieces can be detachably attached to the front piece of the bib, the back piece of the bib, or both the front and back pieces of the bib.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention are better understood with reference to the following drawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale relative to each other. Referring to the drawings, like numbers indicate like parts throughout the views.

FIG. 1 illustrates a first example of a front piece of a bib in an embodiment in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 depicts a front view of one example of an adjustable guide suitable for use with a bib in an embodiment in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates adjustable guide 200 attached to bib 100 shown in FIG. 1 in an embodiment in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 4 depicts a rear view of adjustable guide 200 shown in FIG. 2 in an embodiment in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates an exterior view of the front piece of a bib with one example of movable elements suitable for use with adjustable guide 200 in an embodiment in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 6 depicts an interior view of the front piece of a bib with another example of movable elements suitable for use with adjustable guide 200 in an embodiment in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates a second example of a front piece of a bib in an embodiment in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 8 depicts a third example of a front piece of a bib in an embodiment in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of one example of a bib in an embodiment in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 10 depicts a perspective view of another example of a bib in an embodiment in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 11 illustrates a front view of a person wearing the front piece of a bib shown in FIG. 1 in an embodiment in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 12 depicts a first example of a back piece of a bib on a person in an embodiment in accordance with the invention; and

FIG. 13 illustrates a second example of a back piece of a bib on a person in an embodiment in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Throughout the specification and claims, the following terms take the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on.”Additionally, directional terms such as “on”, “over”, “top”, “bottom”, “left”, “right” are used with reference to the orientation of the Figure(s) being described. Because components of embodiments of the present invention can be positioned in a number of different orientations, the directional terminology is used for purposes of illustration only and is in no way limiting.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a first example of a front piece of a bib in an embodiment in accordance with the invention. Bib 100 can be made of rubber, plastic, vinyl, or some other pliable, water resistant, or lightweight material: The material or materials used to fabricate bib 100 allow bib 100 to conform to the contours of a body in an embodiment in accordance with the invention.

Bib 100 includes a front piece 102. Positional element 104 and guide lines 106 can be included on front piece. Guide lines 106 are straight lines that extend horizontally across front piece 102 in an embodiment in accordance with the invention. Guide lines that are not horizontal can be included on front piece 102 in another embodiment in accordance with the invention. And horizontal and non-horizontal guide lines can be combined on a single bib in yet another embodiment in accordance with the invention.

Any number of guide lines can be included on front piece 102. The distance between two guide lines can be the same for all of the guide lines 106, or the distance between guide lines 106 can vary across front piece 102. Hair length can be compared with or more guide lines 106 by a hair stylist when styling hair to ensure all of the hair, or sections of the hair, are even in length.

Positional element 104 can be used to confirm the position of bib 100 on a person is level prior to the hair styling. Positional element 104 can also be used to monitor the position of bib 100 during the hair styling. This allows the stylist to adjust the position of bib 100 when necessary. In the illustrated embodiment, positional element 104 is implemented as a spirit level or cylindrical bubble level. Other embodiments in accordance with the invention can use different components as a positional element.

FIG. 2 depicts a front view of one example of an adjustable guide suitable for use with a bib in an embodiment in accordance with the invention. Adjustable guide 200 includes movable first end piece 202, movable second end piece 204, and guide wire 206. Guide wire 206 is connected between, or connectable between, movable first end piece 202 and movable second end piece 204. In the illustrated embodiment, movable first end piece 202 is implemented as a movable housing. Guide wire 206 can be retractably housed in movable housing 202 and connected to movable second end piece 204 in an embodiment in accordance with the invention. Movable end pieces 202, 204 and guide wire 206 can be made from any number of materials, including, but not limited to, metal and plastic.

Referring now to FIG. 3, adjustable guide 200 is depicted attached to bib 100 shown in FIG. 1 in an embodiment in accordance with the invention. Movable first end piece 202 and movable second end piece 204 are attached at one location on front piece 102. Movable first end piece 202 and movable second end piece 204 can moved to a different location on front piece 102 (as indicated by arrow 300) whenever needed or desired. Adjustable guide 200 allows a stylist to produce a customized guide line on a bib by positioning guide wire 206 to a particular location on the bib.

FIG. 4 depicts a rear view of adjustable guide 200 shown in FIG. 2 in an embodiment in accordance with the invention. Movable first end piece 202 includes movable element 400 while movable second end piece 204 includes movable element 402. Movable elements 400, 402 can each be made from any material that can be attached and detached from a bib. Alternatively, movable elements 400, 402 can each include components that allow movable elements 400, 402 to be moved vertically (up or down). By way of example only, movable elements 400, 402 can each be configured with an adhesive material, a magnetic material, or a mechanical material. For example, movable elements 400, 402 can be fabricated with tape, a removable adhesive, a hook or loop component of a hook and loop fastener, a hook or eye component of a hook and eye fastener, magnets, snaps, and clips.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown an exterior view of the front piece of a bib with one example of movable elements suitable for use with adjustable guide 200 in an embodiment in accordance with the invention. Strips 500, 502 are attached to the front of the front piece of a bib. Strips 500, 502 can be formed with a loop component of a hook and loop fastener. One example of a hook and loop fastener is Velcro®. Movable elements 400, 402 (see FIG. 4) can be implemented with the hook component of the hook and loop fastener, thereby allowing movable first end piece 202 and movable second end piece 204 to be attached and removed from front piece 102. Strips 500, 502 can each be one continuous strip or be implemented with non-continuous strips in embodiments in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 6 depicts an interior view of the front piece of a bib with another example of movable elements suitable for use with adjustable guide 200 in an embodiment in accordance with the invention. Strips 600, 602 are attached to the inside of the front piece of a bib. Strips 600, 602 are formed with a magnetically attractive material. Movable elements 400, 402 (see FIG. 4) are implemented with magnets, thereby allowing movable first end piece 202 and movable second end piece 204 to be attached and removed from front piece 604. Strips 600, 602 can each be one continuous strip or be implemented with non-continuous strips in embodiments in accordance with the invention.

Although the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 allow movable first end piece 202 and movable second end piece 204 to be physically removed from a bib, other embodiments in accordance with the invention are not limited to actual removal. Both movable first end piece 202 and movable second end piece 204 can be moved, but not removed, from the bib in an embodiment in accordance with the invention. For example, a guide cord can be attached vertically (from top to bottom) to the front piece of a bib and movable first end piece and movable second end piece can slide up or down the guide cord to a desired location on the bib.

Alternatively, in yet another embodiment in accordance with the invention, movable first end piece 202 and movable second end piece 204 can be movable with only one movable end piece (e.g., movable second end piece 204) removable from the bib. For example, the one movable end piece (e.g., movable second end piece 204) can be detachably attached to the bib with a magnet, allowing the end piece to be removed from the bib.

Referring now to FIG. 7, there is shown a second example of a front piece of a bib in an embodiment in accordance with the invention. Bib 700 can be made of rubber, plastic, vinyl, or some other pliable, water resistant, or lightweight material. Bib 700 includes front piece 702 and positional element 104. Positional element 104 can be used to confirm the position of bib 700 is level prior to, and during, a hair styling. Adjustable guide 200 (see FIG. 2) can be used with bib 700. Adjustable guide 200 can be moved to different locations on front piece 802 during or after hair styling. Hair length can be compared with guide wire 206 by a hair stylist when styling hair to ensure all of the hair, or sections of the hair, are even in length.

FIG. 8 depicts a third example of a front piece of a bib in an embodiment in accordance with the invention. Bib 800 can be made of rubber, plastic, vinyl, or some other pliable, water resistant, or lightweight material. Bib 800 includes front piece 802 and guide lines 106. Hair length can be compared with or more guide lines 106 by a hair stylist when styling hair to ensure all of the hair, or sections of the hair, are even in length.

Referring now to FIG. 9, there is shown a perspective view of one example of a bib in an embodiment in accordance with the invention. Bib 900 can be worn by itself or over a cape or other protective clothing. Bib 900 includes front piece 902 and back piece 904. Front and back pieces 902, 904 can be fabricated from a single layer of material, or front piece 902 and back piece 904 can be separate pieces that are detachably attached to each other. In the illustrated embodiment, front piece 902 and back piece 904 are detachably attached using fasteners 906, 908. By way of example only, fasteners 906, 908 can be configured with an adhesive material, a magnetic material, or a mechanical material. For example, fasteners 906, 908 can be fabricated with tape, material or fabric ties, a removable adhesive, hook and loop fasteners, hook and eye fasteners, magnets, snaps, and clips.

Front piece 902 and back piece 904 can be produced with the same dimensions or with different dimensions. Multiple separate front and back pieces having differing dimensions can be produced allowing selected front and back pieces to be detachably attached to each other. A hair stylist can create a more customized bib for a person by detachably attaching different front and back pieces together.

FIG. 10 depicts a perspective view of another example of a bib in an embodiment in accordance with the invention. Bib 1000 can be worn by itself or over a cape or other protective clothing. Bib 1000 includes front piece 1002 and back piece 1004. Bib 1000 is constructed similar to a vest with arm holes. Bib 1000 can be pulled over the head and worn, or bib 1000 can have an opening in the back (not shown) that allows the person to slip on bib 1000.

Referring now to FIG. 11, there is shown a front view of a person wearing a bib in an embodiment in accordance with the invention. FIG. 12 depicts a first example of a back piece of a bib on a person in an embodiment in accordance with the invention. Back piece 1200 can include one or both of positional element 104 and guide lines 106. Hair length can be compared with or more guide lines 106 by a hair stylist when styling hair to ensure all of the hair, or sections of the hair, are even in length.

An adjustable guide 200 (see FIG. 2) can also be used on back piece 1200. Adjustable guide 200 allows a stylist to produce a customized guide line on back piece 1200 by positioning guide wire 206 to a particular location on the bib. Adjustable guide 200 can be detachably attached to, or movable, on back piece 1200 using the methods described in conjunction with FIGS. 4-6 in an embodiment in accordance with the invention.

Referring now to FIG. 13, there is shown a second example of a back piece of a bib on a person in an embodiment in accordance with the invention. Back piece 1300 includes two closure arms 1302, 1304 detachably attached to each other with fastener 1306. By way of example only, fasteners 906, 908 can be configured with an adhesive material, a magnetic material, or a mechanical material. For example, fasteners 906, 908 can be fabricated with tape, material or fabric ties, a removable adhesive, hook and loop fasteners, hook and eye fasteners, magnets, snaps, and clips.

Back piece 1300 can be combined with one of the front pieces shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 7, and 8 in an embodiment in accordance with the invention. A hair stylist can style the hair on the front of the head with the front piece positioned on the front of the body and the closure arms 1302, 1304 placed around the back of the neck. When a hair stylist is ready to style the hair on the back of the head, the front piece of the bib can be flipped to the back of the body with the closure arms 1302, 1304 positioned around the front of the neck. Alternatively, the fastener 1306 can be detached, the front piece of the bib moved to the back of the body with the closure arms positioned around the front of the neck, and the fastener reattached.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention. Even though specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein, it should be noted that the application is not limited to these embodiments. In particular, any features described with respect to one embodiment may also be used in other embodiments, where compatible. And the features of the different embodiments may be exchanged, where compatible.

-   -   1. A bib for use in hair styling, the bib including a front         piece and a back piece. The bib can include multiple guide lines         on the front piece, the back piece, or both the front and back         pieces of the bib.     -   2. A bib for use in hair styling, the bib including a front         piece and a back piece. The bib can include a positional element         attached to the front piece, the back piece, or both the front         and back pieces of the bib.     -   3. A bib for use in hair styling, the bib including a front         piece and a back piece. The bib can include a movable adjustment         guide attached to the front piece, the back piece, or both the         front and back pieces of the bib.     -   4. A bib for use in hair styling, where the bib can include a         combination of the multiple guide lines and the positional         element.     -   5. A bib for use in hair styling, where the bib can include a         combination of multiple guide lines and the movable adjustment         guide.     -   6. A bib for use in hair styling, where the bib can include the         multiple guide lines in combination with the movable adjustment         guide.     -   7. A bib for use in hair styling, where the bib can include the         combination of multiple guide lines, the movable adjustment         guide, and the positional element.     -   8. The adjustable guide can include a movable first end piece, a         movable second end piece, and a guide wire connected to the         movable first end piece and the movable second end piece. The         adjustment guide can be detachably attached to the front piece         of the bib, the back piece of the bib, or both the front and         back pieces of the bib.     -   9. The movable first end piece of the adjustment guide can be         detachably attached to the front piece of the bib, the back         piece of the bib, or both the front and back pieces of the bib.     -   10. The movable second end piece of the adjustment guide can be         detachably attached-to the front piece of the bib, the back         piece of the bib, or both the front and back pieces of the bib.     -   11. Both the movable first end piece and the movable second end         piece of the adjustment guide can be detachably attached to the         front piece of the bib, the back piece of the bib, or both the         front and back pieces of the bib.     -   12. The bib as in any one of the preceding clauses, where the         front piece of the bib is detachably attached to the back piece         of the bib. 

1. A bib for use in hair styling, the bib including two pieces, a front piece and a back piece, the bib comprising: a plurality of guide lines on at least one piece of the bib; and a positional element attached to at least one piece of the bib.
 2. The bib as in claim 1, wherein the plurality of guide lines are on the front piece of the bib.
 3. The bib as in claim 1, wherein the positional element is attached to the front piece of the bib.
 4. The bib as in claim 1, further comprising an adjustable guide detachably attached to at least one piece of the bib, wherein the adjustable guide comprising: a movable first end piece; a movable second end piece; and a guide wire connected to the movable first end piece and the movable second end piece.
 5. The bib as in claim 4, wherein the movable first end piece is detachably attached to the at least one piece of the bib.
 6. The bib as in claim 4, wherein the movable second end piece is detachably attached to the at least one piece of the bib.
 7. The bib as in claim 4, wherein both the movable first end piece and the movable second end piece are detachably attached to the at least one piece of the bib.
 8. The bib as in claim 1, wherein the front piece of the bib is detachably attached to the back piece of the bib.
 9. A bib for use in hair styling, the bib including two pieces, a front piece and a back piece, the bib comprising: a positional element attached to at least one piece of the bib; and an adjustable guide comprising a movable guide wire attached to at least one piece of the bib.
 10. The bib as in claim 9, wherein the adjustable guide further comprises a movable first end piece and a movable second end piece and the guide wire is connected to the movable first and second end pieces.
 11. The bib as in claim 10, wherein the movable second end piece is detachably attached to the front piece of the bib.
 12. The bib as in claim 10, wherein both the movable first end piece and the movable second end piece are detachably attached to the front piece of the bib.
 13. The bib as in claim 9, wherein the front piece of the bib is detachably attached to the back piece to the back piece of the bib.
 14. The bib as in claim 9, wherein the positional element is attached to the front piece of the bib.
 15. A bib for use in hair styling, the bib including two pieces, a front piece and a back piece, the bib comprising: a plurality of guide lines on at least one piece of the bib; and an adjustable guide comprising a movable guide wire attached to at least one piece of the bib.
 16. The bib as in claim 15, wherein the adjustable guide further comprises a movable first end piece and a movable second end piece and the guide wire is connected to the movable first and second end pieces.
 17. The bib as in claim 16, wherein the movable second end piece is detachably attached to the front piece of the bib.
 18. The bib as in claim 16, wherein both the movable first end piece and the movable second end piece are detachably attached to the front piece of the bib.
 19. The bib as in claim 15, wherein the front piece of the bib is detachably attached to the back piece to the back piece of the bib. 